The Colors of Fall Ride is planned for October to take advantage of all the autumn beauty featured along the Chichaqua Valley Trail.
There were a few jokes made during Saturday’s ride and luncheon about how great weather was also “scheduled.” There were also compliments about recent improvements to the trail and how nice it is for the greater Des Moines bike trail network to have a spur that goes so far out into the trees and prairie of the central Iowa countryside.
The ride is meant to help promote awareness of the trail, which recently underwent a smoothing project along the trail between Mingo and Baxter.
“Our turnout was a little better this year than it was last year,” said Jeff Cook, president of the Friends of the Chichaqua Valley Trail. “We have some other events during other parts of the year, but this is when the leaves change and people can really see why we do this. They also see the results of volunteers and great efforts by the Polk and Jasper county conservation departments.”
Several riders reported a bumpy section of the trail between Mingo and Baxter has been smoothed out and only shoulder work is on going. That helps riders complete that easternmost leg of the 28-mile trail, which connects with trails that eventually run across most of Polk County and into Dallas and Story counties.
Food was served at the Mingo City Park picnic shelter, including bratwursts and homemade ice cream from Carl Peters of Monroe. Bag toss and other games were set up, along with plenty of water for cyclists with many miles ahead on their return trips. Some riders rode at least 25 miles to get to Mingo.
Tesha and Larry Huffaker live west of Newton along Highway F36. Tesha Huffaker said some two-lane highways are tough places to ride and be safe — even for someone sporting the kind of bright, orange-and-black-striped riding pants she was wearing Saturday.
“People have almost hit me while I’m wearing these,” she said. “They’re going too fast, and might be looking at their phones.”
Cook said there is much in the planning during the months and year ahead for the Friends of the Chichaqua Valley Trail, which was named Polk County Conservation’s 2015 Volunteer Group of the Year.
“We’re coming up on the 30th birthday of the trail,” Cook said. “We’ll have some celebrations next year. We’ll have more to announce Jan. 21 at the Iowa Bike Summit.”
Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com